Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsFishing revamp is "on the books"
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Jun 7th 2009 at 2:00PM
While Blizzard's managed to do pretty well lately in adding quirks and surprises to make fishing more tolerable (or at least more desirable), the fact remains that it's still ultimately pretty boring to skill up and use altogether, and many people believe it's well overdue for a revamp. It looks like Blizzard agrees, as Zarhym recently revealed that they plan to revamp it. Of course, he had no details or time frame, but that's par for the course for Blizzard.
As to how the revamp should go down, Insider Trader actually recently discussed some ideas. Myself, I'm in favor of the minigame approach. If Popcap can import Peggle, you have to figure it's possible to set up a pretty robust fishing mini-game in WoW. Of course, if all else fails, they could always just let us actually use a Goblin Fishing Pole.
Filed under: Fishing, News items
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Darkthunder Jun 7th 2009 7:16PM
Posted this on the Goblin Fishing Pole page at Wowhead:
"Would be pretty cool if this were to be revamped in a future patch. Simply adding the words after radius "to fishes." Basically allow a fisherman of acceptable skill to catch multiple fish with a single stick of dynamite. Having a cooldown of 1-2 minutes and catching the same amount of fish as you would within that time, the normal way. Basically just a funner way to fish :)"
tulipblossom Jun 7th 2009 7:39PM
I think I'm in the minority, as well, who really enjoys fishing in its current state. But, I enjoyed fishing pre-Wrath, also, so I think I just like the profession, all together. Although, I know that even after the newest patches, fishing can still be a boring grind for a lot of people and I sympathize with that. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing some fishing upgrades and revamps, as long as it didn't entirely change the way fishing works, as it is, right now. I admit, the thought of a mini game really scares me a little. I'd super disappointed if fishing got revamped in such a way.
I think some new trainable fishing skills would be fun. And, there have been tons of great suggestions, such as goblin fishing. You could maybe use explosives in the water, causing you to capture 2 or 3 fish at a time, with one cast/throw/bomb. Which, would speed up the fishing process for those who feel it's a bit time consuming and grindy. Whereas, not entirely altering fishing for those, like myself, who really enjoy fishing as it is, in its current state.
Another fun trainable skill, could be one that allowed you to learn how to fish, while mounted in the water. I think this could really lead to some great new fishing revamps. By, giving us a trainable skill in this way, it could eventually lead to fisherman, maybe, being allowed to craft and/or purchase row boats. There could even be a money sink (which we know blizzard loves) for it and an achievement. Say something like -- "Achievement: Obtain a Fishing Boat License!" - You can now fish on the open sea, while mounted on your row boat. --
The license could be something only purchasable at a max fishing level and it could have a hefty price tag. To make it even cooler, maybe it could be a two seater? One that allowed for you to have another passenger, like the traveler mammoths and the motorbikes. However, both passengers would have to own fishing license. That way Blizz didn't feel as if anyone was getting a free fishing ride.
New and even more awesome rewards from dailies and fishing in general, are always welcome by anyone, I'm sure. I absolutely love the newest fishing dailies and their rewards, and the sea turtle is pure win. But, people who love flavor items can never get enough. They only help to make the game even more enjoyable for all, so I think that's always something that can be worked on and bettered.
I think there are lots of ways to jazz up fishing for those who don't enjoy the grind of it, while still not turning it into something ridiculous and pointless, for those who currently enjoy the way it operates.
BlackTiger Jun 8th 2009 8:04AM
I like your suggestions! But... It's against modern Blizzard's "casuality concept", unfortunately. :(
It would be too hard and boring for ... players (a lot of sarcasm here).
ArbyGrot Jun 8th 2009 11:57AM
I am a pretty casual player and maxed fishing to 450 before the changes. I liked it when it was more challenging and you had to do quests to unlock the higher levels.
@Black Tiger
Plenty of "Hardcore" players never leveled it beacuse it took too much time. You hear this on podcasts all the time now. Not sure what you mean about the changes to fishing being part of the "casuality" of the game.
Powersurge Jun 7th 2009 11:05PM
Alls I have to say is "Fishing Boat mount"
Screech Jun 7th 2009 8:45PM
Please, add another day to the fishing contest.
Opening day PvP server is the bane of my fishing career.
dg Jun 7th 2009 9:11PM
I don't think there is anything wrong with fishing. Dumbing it down for wow players just makes the game less in demand. having a few grinding items in wow that only a few people will do adds value to the game. I would rather they remove the grind from a few quests instead of fixing fishing. The latest changes where you dont need a skill level to fish anywhere is a pretty big change.
Sunfury attack plans
Onslaught documents
Hodirs spear
Quests that are "kill a number" are better then "collect a number of"
tcquad Jun 7th 2009 9:12PM
Three words: Zappthrottle Fish Extractor.
epsilon343 Jun 7th 2009 9:35PM
Win, lol.
I started laughing when I thought about the animation with fish being sucked out of the water.
edward Jun 7th 2009 9:40PM
Hunters really should be able to shoot into a pool and fish/level that way, they never have to buy/grind any fishing pole, but they have to buy special fishing bullets or arrows that have +level skill on them :D
tulipblossom Jun 7th 2009 9:13PM
Oo, also. Fishing nets! Another skill that could be trainable. Sort of like the idea of goblin fishing, a fishing net could be used to capture from 2 to maybe four fish at a time. Or some odd number. Whatever Blizz felt appropriate. Fisherman could possibly craft these nets, have tailors craft them, or they could be purchasable through vendors.
Ametrine Jun 7th 2009 10:13PM
I'd be perfectly happy if I could just AIM the damn things.
How is it you can have 400+ fishing but still need 3-5 or more casts to hit a damn pool?
I can throw two dozen beer bottles with pinpoint accuracy while so drunk I can't even see or walk straight, but I can't hit a single school of fish the first try while stonecold sober? How in the hell does that make sense?
manateewastakenagain Jun 8th 2009 1:27AM
is it just me, or does this continue in the line of hints at a great sea expansions? underwater mounts, revisiting the old world hints, and now this. I know that we can't know until blizzcon but I'd bet on a maelstrom expansion
Ceradene Jun 8th 2009 6:10AM
As a 450 fisherman myself, the only thing I'd add to fishing is some sort of targeting mechanic, as I also find it very frustrating to sometimes spend multiple casts not landing anywhere near where I'd want them.
Implement a targeting circle. The higher the fishing skill the smaller the targeting circle is (it might shrink every 50 skill points or so). At skill 1 it might be as big as the targeting circle for Blizzard or Rain of Fire, while at skill 450 it would be as small as a school of fish. The bobble would always land within this circle.
Implementing such mechanic would also perhaps allow for removal of the need to click on the bobble when a fish bites, since there already is the interaction of having to place the targeting circle on the ground.
Cyberziggy Jun 8th 2009 6:47AM
How about being able to fish while sitting atop the Sea Turtle mount? Being that it's a mount acquired through fishing, I think it would be fitting.
peagle Jun 8th 2009 10:19AM
Fishing, whilst relaxing requires zero skill. I would enjoy a little dynamic play device to be involved, which would vary the catch. i.e. Some kind of "reel in" bouncing display you have to click at just the right time to pull in your catch.
I think its highlighted in particular by fishing quests which ask you to "click only at the last minute" or "lower your hook almost to the river bed" or "only at the deepest parts" etc. which refer to mechanics you cannot currently influence.
Todd Jun 8th 2009 12:57PM
Yeah, in an attempt to make fishing more robust and challenging, aka, "involving" and "fun" Blizzard will introduce lures that MUST be attached to each cast. The lure can be snatched away by the prospective catch, requiring a new lure to be attached. Each level of lure will increase a potential catch. Blizzard will see this as a very "exciting" change to the overall system.
Bleh.
I'd be happy if, while fishing, pressing the spacebar (or some other hotkey) will perform a yank of the bobble rather than requiring a right click.
Syme Jun 8th 2009 1:44PM
I liked fishing fine before the last change. I found it relaxing. As fishing is now, it's alright. If the revamp is good and makes fishing more interactive and mimic the actual, real-world activity, that will be great. If they try to make fishing "exciting" or "rewarding," I will likely hate it.
Jeremy S. Jun 8th 2009 3:53PM
WoW's No.1 for a reason. It's a great game. But it's always interesting, almost making me want to be anti-WoW so I can feel a sense of devious justified glee when I see something that someone else did, that WoW hadn't.
I'm talking about mini-games. Runes of Magic already has some source code in the game preparing for a possible fishing mini game that they talked about way back in their Closed Beta.
I'm sorry Blizzard, I love your game. I guess I just get a sick sense of Joy out of seeing an underdog succeed. We all like to see the little guy win sometimes-that's my defense, and I'm sticking to it:)
Gridneo Jun 9th 2009 10:41AM
There needs to be level requirements on the Fishing Tournament. Basically the Fishing Tournament option to get Salty should only appear when one has completed the rest of the Fishing achievements.